Stage construction for theaters



Dec. 25, 1934. G. YOUNG 1,985,707

STAQE CONSTRUCTION FOR THEATERS Filed March 17, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 HUI]; HI M H Ill 2) Dec. 25, 1934. E YOUNG 1,985,701

STAGE CONSTRUCTION FOR THEATERS L Filed March 17, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 25, 1934. cs. E YOUNG STAGE CONSTRUCTION FOR THEATERS File'd March 17, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec. 25, 1934. G. E. YOUNG STAGE CONSTRUCTION FOR THEATERS Filed March 17, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 JizyeizZEr 671761126 Patented Dec. 25, 1934 UNITED STAT-ES FATENT OFFICE STAGE CONSTRUCTION FOR THEATERS Graeme E. Young, Deerfield, 111.

Application March 17, 1932, Serial No. 599,492 11 Claims.

cal partitions forming a plurality of separate and distinct sections or compartments within which portions of stage setting or scenery may be arranged, the platforms being rotatable to carry the compartments or sections into viewand cooperative positions behind an opening constituting the proscenium arch, and there holding them at rest for any desired period or length of time, wherebya change in the stage sets maybe speedily produced.

When the usual curtain is employed it will conceal the rotation of the platforms or change of scenes or stage sets.

A further object is to provide in an apparatus of this character means for removably holding or securing thepartitions in position upon the restage sets or scenes.

A further object is to providein an improved apparatus or structure of this character overhead runways or platforms which provide a means for assisting in holding the scenes or partitions in position, thereby obviating the necessity of the use of the ordinary braces for holding the scenes,

with the result that all danger of accidents through the use of obstructing braces, guy wires, etc., will be avoided. l

A further object is to provide improved means for suporting the overhead runways or platforms and improved means for raising or swinging them out of the way when desired.

A still further object is to provide an improved lighting system, adapted to be rendered active or appear, the invention consists in the features of novelty in substantially the construction, combination and arrangement of the several parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings illustrating this invention and in which Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional View taken on line 1-1, Figure 2, with. parts "omitted and with parts broken away'of a stage apparatus of this character constructed in accordanc principles of this invention.

e with the Figure '2 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 2--2, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view, with parts omitted, and taken on line 33, Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a detail view partly in elevation and partly in section of a portion of the hoisting mechanism for drawing or moving some of the parts out of position.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view of a portion of the driving gear mechanism.

Figure 6 is a detail perspective view of a portion of one of the overhead runways or platforms and of some of the braces for securing the scenes in position.

Figure '7 is a detail perspective view of the lower portion of one of the supports for the overhead runways or platforms.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view or diagram of the wiring for the lights.

Figure 9' is a detail sectional view taken on line 9-9, Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a detail line 1010, Figure 8.

Figure 11 is a detail top plan view of the electrical connection between the light conduits on the platforms. V

Referring more particularly to the drawings the numeral 15 designates generally the floor of the stage and 16 the usual proscenium arch. Rotatably mounted so as to 'move about spaced vertical axes are platforms 17-l8, which may be of any desired construction but here shown as consisting of a body portion 19 of steel structural work and the platforms are preferably set into the stage floor 15 so that the tops of theplatforms will be flush with the top of the stage floor as shown more clearly in Figure 3. These platforms are preferably provided with 2. depending circumferential flange 19 adapted to rest upon suitable guide and supporting rollers 20 so that the platforms may be readily rotated anda'ny suitable means may be provided for thus rotating the platform. A simple and efficient means embodies a motor 21 which is connected to a drive shaft 22 through the medium of speed reduction gearing 23 of the ordinary and well known type. Connected to the shaft 22 for rotation therewith is a gear 24 which meshes with a gear25 secured to the bottom of the platform sectional view taken on 18 and encompassing the axis thereof. Meshing 7 Secured alsoto the shaft 27 for rotation there with is another gear 29 which meshes with a gear-30 which in turn is secured to the lower face of the platform 17 and encompasses the axis of the latter so that when the motor 21 is operated from a control of any desired construction (not shown) the platforms l7 and 18 will be rotated about their respective axes and in opposite directions, that is in directions towards each other, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 1. If desired, a suitable clutch device 31 of any .ordinaryand well known construction may be provided in the shaft 27 so as to permit one of the platforms l718 to rotate independently with respect to the other and this clutch device 31 may be controlled by a control lever 32 suitably located.

It will therefore be manifest that the platforms 1'? and 18 may be rotated under the control of the operator and if desired the platform 18, by the manipulation of the clutch device 31 may be rotated independently with respect to the platform 17 while the latter is allowed to remain at rest.

The axes of these platforms 17 and 18 may be.

spaced from eachother for any suitable distance according to the diameter of the platform desired and according to the width of the opening in the proscenium arch, but preferably the axes are substantially in alinement with the uprights of the proscenium arch. Tormentor wings 33 may be provided between the peripheries of the platforms and the rear of the proscenium arch.

The construction and operation of themechanism and apparatus supported by each of the platforms 1'7 andlS is the same, and therefore the specific descriptionof one will apply equally as well to them both.

Each of the platforms is preferaby provided with a socket 34 preferably angular in cross sectionand into'the socket one end of an upright or post 35 is adapted to be seated. This post 35 may be of any desired diameter and of any desired length, but is preferably of a height to extend considerably above the top of the proscenium arch and into proximity to the gridiron 36 of the structure. If desired a collar 37 is provided near the upper end of the upright and guy or anchor wires 38 may be secured to the collars for holding them in position for preventing the upper end of the upright 35 from swaying.

Loosely surrounding the upright is a collar 39 which may be held in position in any suitable manner preferably by means of fastening pins or bolts which pass through collars 40 arranged on opposite sides of the collar 39 and into openings 41 spaced lengthwise of the upright 35, so that the collar 39 may be moved to any desired distance lengthwise of the upright 35 and above the platform and then secured in position. Pivotally connected to the collar'39 in any suitable manner and by one end are a plurality of platforms or runways 42, any number of which may be provided but preferably four, which are arranged at right angles to each other, each being supported at one end by the collar 39 and for pivotal movement with respect thereto.

These runs are arranged radially with respect to the axis of the platform and are preferably of a length substantially co-extensive with the radius of the platform, and pivotally connected tothe free end of each of these runways is a supporting structure preferably in the form of a ladder comprising sections 43-44, one of the sections being pivotally connectedby means of brackets 45 with the platform or runway, and the other section 44 being secured to the platform 17 by means of screw or floor bolts 46 which pass through flanges 47 at the lower end of the section. The sections of the ladder overlap and are secured against lateral displacement by means of suitable clamps or collars 48 that may be secured in position by means of thumb screws 49. The support or ladder sections will swing freely with respect to the platform or runway 42 when the screw bolts 46 are removed, and the outer end of the runways are elevated about their pivots with the collar 39, as shown more clearly in dotted lines in Figures 2 and 3.

Cables or flexible members 50 may be connected byoneend as at 51 with the outer end of the runways 42 and these cables pass over pulleys 52 preferably carried by the collar 37 and thence downwardly, terminating in a convenient position for the operator who may be standing upon the runways 42 so that when it is desired, others of the platforms or runways 42 may be swung upwardly about their pivots and out of the'way so as to allow the use of a higher piece of scenery 53 to beemployed upon the platform.

Each of the runways 42. may, if desired, be provided with guard rails 54 supported by uprights .55 pivotally secured thereto and these uprights 56 may in turn be pivotally connected to the runways 47, end members 57 being provided which are secured as at 58 to the runways so as to prevent the guard rail 47 from collapsing. When desired, the end members 57 may be detached from their fastening devices 58 and folded with respect to the runway.

Additional scenes 59 of any desired construotion may be employed'and are arranged within the sectors or spaces formed by the runways 42 and constitute upright partitions, forming walls for a predetermined stage set,-and these partitions 59, when they are of a height to terminate substantially adjacent the runways 42, may be secured in posit-ion by the ordinary sectional braces 60, one end being secured to the top of the partitions 59 and the other end to the runway 42 by the ordinary floor bolts or screws.

When, however, a piece of scenery such as shown at 53 is to be employed and which is of a height to extend above the runway 42, it may be secured in position by means of the adjustable sectional brace 61 which is secured by one end to the runway 42 and by the other end to the top of the scene 53.

It will therefore be manifest that with this improved construction and when four of the runways are employed, and when one of the sections or compartments carried by each of the platforms 17 and 18 are moved into co-operative relation as shown in Figure 1, a complete stage scene or setting will be provided and while this setting-is in use additional sets or scenes can be prepared or arranged upon the other sections or compartments of the platforms 1'? and 18, so that when one scene has served its useful purpose and it is desired to change the scene, the platforms 1'7 and 18 may be rotated to bring the next pair of co-operating sections or compartments into co-operative relation.

Likewise, the remaining sections may be correspondingly positioned, with the result that a very speedy change of scenes will be eflected, and during the change of the-scenes the drop curtain may be lowered so that the change will be effected while being concealed from the eyes of the spectators.

thespace directly behind the opening in the proscenium arch maybe raised. or swung out of the way into the positionhshown in dotted lines in Figures 2 and 3, andthe portions of the scenery forming the upright partitions may be omitted or swung around to a position so that a full space may be provided asfar'back as, or in close proximity to the rear wall 62. This will allow the runways 42 extending directly behind the proscenium arch to a point adjacent the rear wall 62, to remain so that the scenes or partitions may be secured thereto. At the same time the runways opposite those which have been raised and on the other sides of the rearwardly extending partitions thus formed may be elevated in the event that a similar space is required for the next scene and which scene can be placed or set upon the platforms to be brought into co-operative relation with each other upon the next operation of the platforms 17-18. Should, however, only a smaller scene be next required, the runways 42 may be allowed to remain in their position so that upon the operation of the platforms 17-18 a space similar to that shown in Figure 1 would be provided.

It will therefore be manifest that with this construction it is possible to vary or alter the size of the space in which the scenes are to be presented and that subsequent scenes may be prepared while other scenes are being used and the space or area for the scenes may be readily changed without affecting the scene or space which is in use for the performance.

The numeral 63, see particularly. Figure 3, designates a roof or ceiling structure of any ordinary and well known type which may be employed for the various scenes and is adapted to be raised or lowered by means of the ordinary cable 64 operated from the flys or gridiron of the stage structure.

The entire superstructure carried by the platforms 17-18 may be removed when desired by first detaching the fasteningmeans of the supporting ladders or props is for the outer ends of the runways 42 and then raising the runways 42 to the position shown in dotted lines inFigures 2 and 3, after which the upright 35 may be bodily raised by means of cables 65 passing over a pulley 66 secured to the top of the upright and may be drawn up into the gridiron or flys of the theater structure and secured in any suitable manner. floor and the platforms 17 and 18 unobstructed.

In Figures 8, 9 and 10, there is disclosed a simple and efficient lighting system for lighting the various scenes, and this lighting system is controlled by the rotation of the platforms 17-18. The supply conduits 67 are connected with a switch box 68, from which the conductors 69-70 lead, and these conductors are insulated from each other and are connected to a contact member, 71. Arranged beneath the respective platforms are conductors 72-73 which are connecte Thiswill leave the entire stage member 77 betweenthe' platforms 17 and 18. Arranged uponthe platform 17 is a conductor 78 preferably continuous, the two ends 79-80 of which are connected to contacts 81 adjacent the periphery of the platform 17 that are adapted to move into .engag'ement with the contact 76. Lights 82 are arranged in the circuit formed by the conductors, so that when the parts are in the position shown in Figure 8, the circuit will flow from the switch box through the conductors 69, contact 71, contact 74, conductor 72, contact 75, contact 76, contact 78 back to the contact 76,

thence through the conductor 73, conductor 70,

back to the switch box 68.

With this arrangement it will be manifest that as soon as the contacts 75-81 move into engagement with the contacts 76, the circuit will be completed and the lights will be lit. Likewise when the platforms 17-18 are rotated and the contacts 75-81 move out of engagement with the contact terminal 76, the lights will be extinguished. Any number of these circuits may be provided and carried by the respective platforms according to the number of scenes which it is desired to produce and in which illumination is to be employed. t i

The drop curtain 83 may be manipulated in the usual manner, as may also all of the other drops 84.

With this improved construction it will be manifest that not only a quick scene change may be provided, but a considerable amount of time will be saved as additional scenes may be prepared and arranged while one set of scenes is being exposed and employed, and furthermore the space required for the production may be increased very readily and various size spaces and of scenes may be employed throughout the performance and in a speedy and expeditious manner.

It will also be further manifest that allof the superstructure carried by the platforms may be readily removect by raising the same into the fiys or gridiron, and furthermore, one of the platforms may be rotated while the other is maintained against rotation, if desired.

While the preferred form of the invention has been herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, within the scope of the claims, without departing from the spirit of this invention.

What is claimed as new is:-

1. In a theatrical stage structure, the combination with the proscenium arch, a non-revoluble main stage, a plurality of revoluble platforms flush with the main stage and disposed to be simultaneously viewed through said arch, said platforms rotatable about laterally spaced vertical axes. a superstructure carried by the platforms and embodying overhead pivotally mounted runways, and means for folding and unfolding the said runways with relation to the respective platforms.

2. In a theatrical stage structure, the combination with the proscenium arch, a non-revoluble movement about: horizontal axes, and means for swinging the: runways about their axes.

3. In a theatrical stage structure, the combination with the proscenium arch, a non-revoluble main stage, a plurality of revoluble platforms flush with the main stageand so disposed that portions of each are simultaneously visible through the arch and-rotatable about laterally spaced vertical axes, a superstructure carried by the platforms and embodying overhead runways, means mounting said runways by one end for swinging movement about horizontal pivots, and supports for the runways connected thereto at a substantial distance from their pivots and adapted to engage and rest upon the respective platforms. I

4. In a theatrical stage structure, the combination with the proscenium arch, a non-revoluble main stage, a plurality of revoluble. platforms flush with the main stage and disposed to be simultaneously viewed through said arch. and rotatable about laterally spaced vertical axes, a superstructure carried by the platforms and embodying overhead runways, and means for elevating the said superstructure for disconnecting the same from the platforms.

5. In a theatrical stage structure, the combination with the proscenium arch, a revoluble platform rotatable about an upright axis and visible through said arch, an upright mounted upon the platform and extending for a considerable distance thereabove, an overhead runway pivotally connected by one end to the upright for swinging movements and in directions towards and away from the platform, and means for supporting the free end of the runway.

6. In a theatrical stage structure, the combination with the proscenium arch, a revoluble platform rotatable about an upright axis and visible through said arch, an axially arranged upright carried by the platform and projecting for a considerable distance thereabove, a plurality of overhead runways disposed about said upright and pivotally connected by one end thereto for swinging movements in directions towards and away from the platform, and means for supporting the free ends of the runways.

'7. In a theatrical stage structure, the combination'with the proscenium arch, a revoluble platform rotatable about an upright axis and visible through said arch, an axially arranged upright carried by the platform and projecting for a considerable distance thereabove, a plurality of overhead runways disposed about said upright and pivotally connected by one end thereto for swinging movements in directions towards and away from the platform, means for supporting the free ends of the runways, and means for adjusting in directions lengthwise of the upright, the ends of the, runways which are pivotally connected thereto and for maintaining the same in such adjusted position.

8. In a theatrical stage structure, the combination withthe proscenium arch, a revoluble platform. rotatable about an upright axis and visible through said arch, an axially arranged upright carried bythe platform and projecting for a considerable distance thereabove, a plurality of overhead runways disposed about said upright and pivotally connected by one end thereto for swinging movements in directions towards and away from the platform, means for supporting the free ends of the runways, means for adjusting in directions lengthwise of the upright, the ends of the runways which are pivotally connected thereto and for maintaining the same in such adjusted position, and means for bodily lifting said upright and said runways off of the said platform.

9. In a theatrical stage structure, in combination with the proscenium arch, a revoluble plat-. form rotatable about an upright axis and visible through said arch, an upright supported by and extending for a considerable distance above the platform, an overhead runway pivotally connected by one end to the upright for movements about a horizontal pivot, and a support for the free end of said runway pivotally connected with the run- Way and adapted to engage and rest upon the platform and foldable withv respect to the runway when the latter is swung about its pivot to be raised.

10. In a theatrical stage structure, in combination with the proscenium arch, a revoluble platform rotatable about an upright axis and visible through said arch, an upright supported by and extending for a considerable distance above the platform, an overhead runway pivotally connected by one end to -the upright for movements about a horizontal pivot, and a support for the free end of said runway pivotally connected with the runway and adapted to engage and rest upon the platform and foldable with respect to the runway when the latter is swung about its pivot to be raised, the said support embodying extensible ladder sections.

11. In a theatrical stage structure, in combination with the proscenium arch, a revoluble platform rotatable about an upright axis and visible through said arch, an upright supported by and extending for a considerable distance above the platform, an overhead runway connected by one end with the upright and projecting over the platform, means for supporting the free end of the runway, an upright partition supported by the platform and projecting thereabove and disposed in proximity to the said runway, and braces secured to the runway and the said partition for maintaining the latter in position upon the platform.

GRAEME E. YOUNG. 

